Lorazepam and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Cyc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 26, 2019

For Anxiety "It works for me, originally for everyday anxiety. I now use it occasionally for anxiety and sleep at a dosage of 1 mg. A word of caution, it has withdrawal effects. I used to take 4 mg a day. Nobody intends to get on a large dose, it slowly crept up on me. And dealing with withdrawals made managing anxiety much more difficult."

• Mik...
• August 29, 2019

For Panic Disorder "My first experience with anxiety attacks/panic led me to, and I lorazepam took them every day almost. After a few weeks and after much reading, I decided to get off them. The withdrawals were unbelievably bad, some professionals say worse than getting off heroin. Long story short, I got off on a withdrawal program. Still keep the drug close for the unexpected, but I pretty much never use it these days. But it’s just nice to know it’s there if needed. Recently, it seemed my world was taken from me when the rug was taken suddenly beneath our feet in our business. I started showing signs of a panic attack, which I’m used to by now. Then I reached into my med pouch and grabbed 2 x 1 mg Ativan tabs, and they settled me down, so now I’m able to think ahead calmly and plan my next move! It’s important to note many medical professionals tell you to put off any important decisions, whatever they may be in your life, for 72 hours, as your brain is still a bit out of sync, and this may lead one to making bad decisions."

• Ana...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 30, 2019

For Anxiety "I started taking lorazepam after I developed panic attacks and severe anxiety. I didn't realize it was supposed to be for short-term use. Three years later, I want off this med so bad. I've tried taking myself off, but the withdrawals are horrendous. I'm going to have to get professional help to get off this. And once I'm off, I'm never taking another benzo ever again. Stay away!!!!!"

• Azg...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 21, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I started taking lorazepam 3 years ago after my first panic attack landed me in the ER. I took Zoloft once a day and took lorazepam as needed for extreme anxiety or panic attacks. It did help great for anxiety. However, I started using lorazepam daily for a month after my son passed away, and when I tried to stop, I had the worst withdrawal symptoms. Racing heartbeat, pounding in my chest, nausea, dizziness, and felt like I was dying. I was only on 0.5, so tapering wasn't really an option. I checked out and researched some detox places, and the success rates aren't good with tapering. I finally found a rapid detox in Phoenix, and it cost me 9 thousand bucks, but it beats 30-day inpatient. Beware taking any benzo. I didn't think I was an addict and had never taken a drug, but I became physically addicted to this prescribed med. The withdrawals are horrific."

• Pau...
• December 28, 2016

For Anxiety "I've been taking Cipralex 20 mg in the morning and 15 mg Remeron at night and would take from 0.5 mg to 1 mg of lorazepam in the morning as this is when my anxiety is worst. Since my anxiety was not improving, I decided to get off the Remeron to reduce the serotonin. Remeron was great for helping me sleep, but the withdrawal was awful. I decided to use lorazepam to help me sleep, which worked well for a while. Without the Remeron, my morning anxiety became better, and I started to have better days. This only lasted about a week. Pretty soon, I was having sleeping problems, and the lorazepam didn't help my daily anxiety either, and in fact, at times I felt worse. This is the downfall of lorazepam. You build up a tolerance and have to increase the dose."

• Anonymous
• November 15, 2011

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I have been on Ativan since January 2011, started out with 0.5 mg, then went to 1 mg, and have felt better. I used them not only for my anxiety but also to sleep because I have a hard time sleeping at night. I now feel that I can stop taking the medicines for the anxiety, have not had an attack for months, but take the medicines to sleep at night. I tried to stop taking Ativan, and the withdrawals were so bad I had to start taking them again, and now going to see my doctor to help me come off them."

• Lor...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 9, 2018

For Insomnia "I have been taking lorazepam for many years. I started with the highest dose. My doctor began to lower it until I was taking just half of 0.5 mg. I am afraid, am I going to have problems? But I have been wishing to leave it for a long time. Am I going to have withdrawal? Please let me know."

• Jmf...
• April 11, 2018

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I recently developed panic attacks and anxiety. Just thinking about anxiety makes you anxious, at least for me. I was just prescribed 0.5 Ativan and 10 mg Lexapro for anxiety. I hope it works. I used to be on Celexa, but it never really did much for me, tbh. I'm hoping the withdrawals aren't bad."

• Lad...
• October 11, 2018

Lorazepam "I was given Ativan for anxiety due to TMJ (temporomandibular disorder) chronic pain. It ended up taking away the pain itself. However, being in the mental health field, I'm well aware of the addictive qualities of this drug. I was appalled at how quickly I was put on 1 mg/day for 3 weeks and given a renewed prescription without question every time I went in. Users must beware of the high addictiveness and that it can take years to taper off this medication and years for the brain to return to a normal state. Severe withdrawal can cause psychosis, depression, seizures, and death, and rebound symptoms are very common even at low doses (rebound symptoms is when you go off or taper down the medication, you experience a worsening of the condition it was intended to treat in the first place). If you've been prescribed this by your GP, please do your research and talk to a specialist about it and follow their advice. Benzodiazepines have ruined many lives and are still continuously over-prescribed."

• nor...
• November 10, 2009

For Anxiety "I am 28 years old and have been taking Ativan for 7 years now for anxiety and panic attacks. I started at 0.5 mg at bedtime, and over the years have needed constant increases. I am now taking 2 mg three times a day. The pill does its job, but if I am even an hour late taking it (from when I usually do), I start developing severe mood swings, agitation, anxiety, and a total feeling like I am going crazy. I take the pill, and in about an hour, I am feeling normal again. This has caused a lot of stress in my relationship. My wife knows exactly when I need my pill, and even my oldest son started saying, 'I think daddy needs his pill.' I have tried to taper in the past, but the withdrawal side effects were bad. I hope one day to come off this drug."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 8, 2025

For Insomnia "In 2004, I was leaving work and had my first severe panic attack (although I didn’t know it was that at the time). I was fortunate that my ER nurse immediately recognized what I was experiencing and gave me IV Ativan (lorazepam). My PC physician later prescribed Klonopin (clonazepam). It helped, but after taking it for 18 years, its effectiveness wore off. About 15 months ago, I started having “sleep anxiety” and would go four days, at times, with not even a second of sleep. I saw a psychiatrist, who switched me to Ativan, a faster-acting benzodiazepine, and I’ve been taking that for the past 15 months. It helps me with sleep-onset latency, most of the time, but as we tried to taper me off it, I experienced severe withdrawal (rebound insomnia and debilitating anxiety). Ativan might be ideal for short-term or occasional use, but I don’t recommend taking it every day."

• Off...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 27, 2018

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Have taken Ativan on and off...more on than off for 24 years. I have quit it for life and am having terrible withdrawal symptoms. Hot, cold, blurred vision, memory loss. Please do not take this medication."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2020

For Anxiety "Ativan worked a little bit the first time I took it, and I only took it in emergencies when my anxiety was really high. But it lost its effect after a while to the point where it did absolutely nothing for me. I didn't have any issues with withdrawal or side effects, no drowsiness. I wonder if I even took the pill correctly! Anyway, I'm on a different medication now, so hopefully that actually works for me."

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 26, 2021

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I initially took this drug to treat chronic nerve pain, as nothing else would work. This gave me some relief as I was experiencing continuous pain. I also suffer from anxiety and bipolar disorder. I believe this drug saved my life, even though it has actually worsened my anxiety. I take 1 mg once a day in the morning, so that I would wake up the next morning with severe anxiety. It took me a long time to figure out this came from Ativan and not my 'normal' anxiety, which wasn't that severe in the first place. As my neuralgia eventually got better over time, I tried to lower the dose to 0.5 mg per day. I was prepared to experience withdrawal, but instead, I felt as great as ever! I eventually went into a manic state and started to have psychotic symptoms. So bipolar people beware: stopping long-term use of Ativan can trigger a manic episode! Altogether, I don't regret taking this drug as I have a more productive life and more desire for social connections."

• Poc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2019

For Anxiety "Doctor prescribed me 1 mg x 3 per day. First week was fine, but soon after I developed a tolerance and between-dose withdrawal. Much to my dismay, my doctor kept me on this for 4 long months. The pills were working against me, actually causing me anxiety. Now I am in the process of tapering off. If only I was prescribed a longer-acting benzo for a much shorter period."

• Dra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 18, 2022

For Anxiety "This gets a negative 10 from me. I only took it a short while and suffered breakthrough panic attacks, or more like terror attacks. Never, ever again. If you can handle it, good for you. I wouldn't wish my withdrawals on my worst enemy."

• Eur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2021

Lorazepam for Anxiety "This pill works, but is not a solution. Be wary even if you don’t have an addictive personality. I don’t, but using this only 3 days in a row, then stopped, caused me physical withdrawal symptoms! I only took 1 mg each day. After 3 days, I had rebound anxiety, tense, painful shoulders and back, neck/head pain, teeth grinding, and achy. Also, this medication makes my hair shed!! and makes me feel stupid and foggy for days after! This is definitely NOT a drug you want to play around with! My husband was prescribed this years ago, and he said also, he became “dope sick” after using just for a couple of days! Withdrawal from benzos can be really hard, so if you are trying to get off of them, consult your physician. I couldn’t imagine how bad withdrawals would be if you were on these long-term. I will keep them on hand for extreme, rare emergencies. But in the meantime, I will stick to hypnosis and taking lemon balm or passionflower herbs."

• Des...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2017

For Anxiety "I've been struggling with depression but mostly anxiety for 16 years. I take an antidepressant, and last year I tried to change it three times. During this time I began to use Lorazepam daily and began to increase it when it wasn't working for me. Needless to say, this was the worst year ever. My anxiety symptoms were hell. After reading about Lorazepam and the problems with tolerance, rebound anxiety, looping, and withdrawal, I realized my problem was not the antidepressants but Lorazepam. If you take it once a month or several times per year, it could help and shouldn't hurt you, but if you take it every day, you are asking for trouble. My recommendation is to avoid Lorazepam at all costs."

• jon...
• July 13, 2008

"I've been on Ativan for 4 months now, 0.5 mg once or twice a day to control my anxiety attacks. I take it when I feel jittery, have a flushing face, a heavy head akin to a tension headache, and dizziness. Usually, these symptoms subside within 2 hours of dosing. It isn't often that I have to take 1 mg in two divided (0.5 mg) 6-hourly doses. Last month, I didn't take Ativan for 5 straight days, and I didn't suffer any withdrawal symptoms or rebounds, but my anxiety attacks returned on the sixth day."

• Tin...
• July 15, 2017

For Anxiety "I was given a double dose of Ativan IV in the hospital and 1 mg dose pills for home! Only took .25 on occasion, and now I'm having withdrawal symptoms! Can anyone answer my question about Ativan being addictive with only .25 mg occasionally?"

• Tru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2021

Lorazepam for Anxiety "After an operation, he was great for 3 days. Became upset with nurses waking him for this or that, told them in no uncertain words to leave him alone and was shaking. They assumed he was an alcoholic and he was having withdrawal from not being able to drink in the hospital. On the 4th day and for 3 days later, couldn't talk, move on his own, or walk. Now in rehab, why would you give Ativan to someone who you thought was a drunk."

• Bob...
• November 4, 2017

For Anxiety "Miracle drug for short-term use. You get withdrawal problems after you grow a dependence on it. It will be dangerous like alcohol if you stop cold turkey. You have got to taper off, but it works really good if you use it when you get anxiety."

• Tom...
• October 3, 2019

For Status Epilepticus "I have seizures, and afterwards, it leaves my brain utterly scrambled. It can take weeks before I feel normal. My doctor prescribed Ativan, taken as needed, to help me relax postictal (after seizure). I had no idea how addictive it was, but when I discovered how much it helped me fall asleep, I started taking 1 mg every night. It wasn't until I tried to stop that I realized how addicted my body had become. Been taking 1 mg a night for years. Earlier this year, I had a bad seizure that took weeks to recover from and was taking x2 a day which left me 14 short. When I went to refill it, the pharmacy refused because it was too early. I ended up in the ER. I have never felt the pain of withdrawals before, it was enough to make me decide to stop. Been tapering for a couple of months, just tapered down to 0.25 mg a night. So far, no big issues. A week after each taper, I've been taking melatonin to help me sleep. I think that has helped. I would advise people to stay away from benzos. Like me, one day you may be cut off."

• Anonymous
• February 10, 2016

For Anxiety "I took the first 0.5 mg lorazepam, and it got me super sleepy in the evening while watching TV. Lucky it was night because I was zonked. The next day, I right away experienced withdrawal, yuck. I hate that feeling. I would have had to take another one just to get rid of the withdrawal from the first one. And maybe after a few days, the withdrawal symptoms would settle down, but I didn't think I should be getting withdrawal immediately like that. And I certainly didn't want to think about going through it in the future, even stronger symptoms. So the first one was all I took. I wised up quickly and didn't continue taking them. I felt dizzy and crappy for two or three days just from that one pill. Unreal."

• mus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2022

For Anxiety "So I was in a bad car accident back in July of 2021. I still am not back to my normal self due to the memory loss, lack of sleep, and overall issues with basic life tasks. It's been causing me major anxiety, frustration, and every emotion under the sun. My doctor put me on lorazepam for 10 days, ten days only to help sleep. My doctor didn't want me to stay on it because this can be an addictive drug. I didn't think it was an issue. It did what it was supposed to do. It was 0.5 mg and it did help me sleep. The first night I took it, I noticed a lot of heavy chest deep breathing, but the other 10 days I was fine. It was the withdrawal for me, which is why I do not recommend it. I do not drink, smoke, or do drugs. I do not have an addictive personality. The first day off of this thing, I cried and cried and cried. So emotional. The littlest things bothered me. I was shaky and irritable. I took everything out on everyone else. I would much rather take something else."